AUSTIN — The longstanding advice for freshman senators in the Texas Legislature is the same given to nervous teens entering their first year of high school: you are to be seen, not heard. No one told state Sen. Donna Campbell, who served her first term as an elected official this session, or she didn't listen.

First-year senators are typically expected to pay their dues, step aside for senior members, and slowly build their legislative power in the Senate, where seniority rules. Instead, Campbell, a tea party favorite and self-proclaimed “citizen legislator,” made a splash and ended the session with both Republicans and Democrats targeting her.

Campbell, an emergency room doctor affectionately known to her supporters as “Dr. Donna,” entered the Legislature last November on a historic wave — she was the first person to unseat a sitting Republican senator, seven-term San Antonio Republican Jeff Wentworth.

“The process doesn't invite people who are brand new,” said Campbell, R-New Braunfels. “But I'm here to serve the people, not the politicians.”

During an opening ceremony presided by Gov. Rick Perry on the first day of the session, Campbell ducked the brass rail and dodged photographers sprinting to the aid of a Senate staff member who fainted.

She irked liberal detractors and awed conservative supporters early with passionate speeches supporting school vouchers on the Education committee and, amid national debate on gun safety, proposing to cut required concealed handgun license training hours by half, which ultimately passed into law.

Campbell, 58, garnered national attention when she utilized a legislative maneuver in June to sink Sen. Wendy Davis' now-famous filibuster, which was observed by thousands in Texas and across the country.

“The feeling was triumphant,” Campbell said, adding that missing the midnight deadline to pass the bill was “heartbreaking” after rowdy spectators backing Davis erupted and prevented a timely vote.

Her critics called the move “disrespectful” and contend the Senate's longstanding tradition is to allow filibusters to proceed without challenge.

“I don't think I've ever seen such an effort to disrespect another senator's filibuster in the more than 20 years I've been watching,” said Harold Cook, a Democratic consultant.

The abortion restrictions Davis was attempting to block ultimately passed the following month, but not before she was launched to national Democratic stardom. The Fort Worth Democrat is now milling a run for governor.

“It's a sad statement of how people will lionize someone as a heroine for a stance on something that the majority of people disagree with,” Campbell said. “I'm in disbelief that she would be held to such a heroic position for an issue that definitely is in contradiction to Texans' values.”

Campbell was an outspoken proponent of the abortion restrictions, which she calls “pro-life legislation,” and sparked discussion after passionately speaking in support of the controversial bill wearing her hospital scrubs during a Capitol press conference. Critics called the display over the top and said her experience as an ophthalmologist doesn't translate to professional knowledge on abortion.

“It seems like every time I noticed Donna Campbell, she was not doing the things that make the trains of government run on time,” said Cook. “She wasn't doing economic development with the rest of the Bexar County delegation; she was off chasing another Republican dog-whistle social issue.”

Campbell has not welcomed the attention that comes with the territory.

Staff from other Republican and Democratic Senate offices, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said Campbell quickly earned a reputation as a difficult boss.

Of six Capitol staff members Campbell employed this session, four have left, according to personnel records obtained by the Express-News. The needs of the office changed, Campbell said.

On the last day of the regular session, Campbell said, she was asked to address a rumor that she had slapped her then-chief of staff, Bonnie Bruce, during a committee hearing by a Senate official.

“If you're reaching back trying to catch somebody, you know, if you tap them, is that a slap? And I don't remember that,” Campbell said. “I'll tell you there was not a slap. But you know, I can't help what somebody says or believes, I can only let my reputation precede me.”

Bruce, a longtime legislative aide, declined to comment but in her departing letter said her experience was “a challenge but a pleasure,” according to records. Her last day is listed as May 31.

Campbell attributed the rumors to “somebody who wants to hurt me” but declined to comment further.

Two staff members left on Aug. 1, and both said in a departing letter that they “enjoyed” their time in the office, according to records. One staff member was terminated in April but didn't write a letter.

While state senators normally are elected to four-year terms, Campbell drew a two-year term when senators held a post-redistricting drawing early this year, which happens every 10 years.

Republicans have already started eyeing Campbell's seat, including Mike Novak, a lifelong San Antonio resident and former Bexar County commissioner. Embattled San Antonio District 9 Councilwoman Elisa Chan, who drew criticism for anti-gay comments made in a recording published by the Express-News, is also considering run in Senate District 25, which includes portions of Bexar and Travis Counties and all of Hays, Comal, Guadalupe and Kendall counties.

“If I'm going to have a challenger, I might as well have a formidable one,” Campbell said.

Campbell said she was “happy” Chan opposed a recent ordinance passed by San Antonio City Council that adds discrimination protections for sexual orientation and gender identity but declined to comment on Chan's anti-gay remarks.

“Those are her comments,” Campbell said. “I'm just going to let her defend those.”

Cook said the Senate race is tough to predict but that he isn't “convinced that anybody voted
for Donna Campbell; I think they were voting against Jeff Wentworth.”

State Sen. Dan Patrick, R-Houston, said he was impressed with Campbell's first session, noting that Campbell helped senators from both parties when they were ill or injured. Campbell drove freshman state Sen. Sylvia Garcia, D-Houston, to the emergency room during the session where she later had her gallbladder removed.

“Everyone liked her, Republicans and Democrats,” said Patrick, who is running for lieutenant governor. “She is a wonderful human being, and everyone realized that through her faith, her adoption of young children, and her willingness to help other people.”

Campbell said she was eager to get back to the district and meet with voters and will use that experience if she is re-elected.

“We have to keep Texas strong because we don't have another Texas to move to,” Campbell said. “We are the shining state in the nation.”